Small Ruminant Diseases and Resources

Small ruminants are an important source of meat, milk or wool throughout the world. Of the world's 1,614 million sheep and 475 million goats, 65% and 95%, respectively, are located in developing countries. Sheep and goat meat is an important protein source and goat milk is easier to digest for some people. Small ruminants provide employment and income for people living in rural communities and are important to the economies of some countries. In the United States, approximately 6 million sheep are used for meat and wool production and 2.5 million goats are used for meat, milk and mohair production. The diseases listed here are some of most important transboundary and zoonotic diseases that affect small ruminants.